Tips for using my Kubota 2250 in the winter

[Colonel Monk]

Howdy all, pleased to meet ya. I'm a newb on the forum.

Inherited a 1985 L2250 4WD from my late uncle. It's in fine shape, like 775 hours on the engine.

Has FEL and two-sided BB on it.

We have a plow truck with 7ft Western Plow, it's a 1979 Jeep Cherokee we lovingly call, "the Creep". The creep is ready for the grave, or another owner - but if I can get it started will probably use it for general plowing this season. Brakes don't work, luckily we don't have hills.

If not, then might try to mount plow to FEL. I have read quite a bit here today about how to do that. Considering the options....

But, wondering a few things:

First, the tractor has turf tires on it. Our 3/4 drive doesn't have any hills, and just one corner. Should I be OK without chains? The tires are loaded.

Second, what about a cab? How many of you use a "tent-style" cab for the winter? Or just suck it up?

Third, don't have the tractor right in front of me, but I don't believe it has any kind of quick-disconnect system for the bucket - how difficult will it be to remove? Are there any commercially available "implements" that would allow the DIY a ready-made platform to build a plow mount?

Any other tips are welcome.

Thanks!

CM

 

[Colonel Monk]

Oh yeah...

4th, how strong is the electrical system? Looks like a 30amp alternator - was thinking about adding some lighting to the Roll Bar ... thoughts?

 

[BleedingOrange]

Welcome to TBN. If your going to be using the tractor in the winter, chains make a huge difference. And the nice part is, they aren,t very expensive. If you can afford an enclosure of any kind on your tractor, get it. It,s so nice not to have the wind and snow blowing back in your face. You deserve it,get it.
If you want to add lights, get the LED ones. They don,t take much power, but to give a terrific amount of lite. I would be surprised if you would have to upgrade your alternator by adding LED lighting.

 

[Colonel Monk]

Welcome to TBN. If your going to be using the tractor in the winter, chains make a huge difference. And the nice part is, they aren,t very expensive. If you can afford an enclosure of any kind on your tractor, get it. It,s so nice not to have the wind and snow blowing back in your face. You deserve it,get it.
If you want to add lights, get the LED ones. They don,t take much power, but to give a terrific amount of lite. I would be surprised if you would have to upgrade your alternator by adding LED lighting.

Thanks Guido!

Good Point, about the LED spots - I have one, atop a 13 foot live mic stand that I can run all nite on a car battery - probably all day too.... They are a little spendy though, and I do already have two offroad spots that are on the old Creep plow truck.

Lemme do the math: 50W/12V = 4.2 Amps, x2 is 8.4 Amps - should be more than enough power. Want to move the gumball over there too.....

I"ll have to check out the tire size and price some chains.

CM

 

[unbidden]

I second the use of LED's for the spots. Many here, myself included have purchased chains from Tire Chains by TireChains.com. Great prices and seems to be no skimping on quality "IMHO". Better to have a set on hand than to be caught short with no sizes left in stock come January if you find you need them.

 

[Colonel Monk]

This is the LED spot I got for my RV that I currently have on the mic pole....

Water Proof 12 to 24 VDC Spot Deck Light 218W-60BW SKU523 [670541576632] - $34.95 : LEDs 4, Recreational Vehicles

60 LEDs, it's pretty bright.

I think the lights on the Creep are like H2 Halogens or something....

 

[number two]

Loaded turf tires and no hills-you can most likely get by without chains,all though they would help for pushing snow.Good Luck and welcome!

 

[VitaBene]

I had an L2250 and L2850 when I was in the landscaping business way back when- great tractors! The loader does come off relatively easily with the stands (They should be right in front of you when sitting on the seat- two bars held on with clevis pins IIRC).

We moved a LOT of snow with them!

 

[Colonel Monk]

I had an L2250 and L2850 when I was in the landscaping business way back when- great tractors! The loader does come off relatively easily with the stands (They should be right in front of you when sitting on the seat- two bars held on with clevis pins IIRC).

We moved a LOT of snow with them!

Cool, thanks! Yeah the stands are just like you said..... Are you recommending that I'd remove the loader and mount the the western plow to the tractor?

Just realized while hauling some wood yesterday, that the back blade is a two sided box blade, and does not angle.... So that makes it little less useful for actual plowing. Our driveway is raised above the bed of a swamp, so plowing puts the snow off the road and we usually don't have to move it around.

I can see the Back Blade being useful for clean up, but not so much for actual plowing since it won't angle....

I've seen alot of setups here where guys make an attachment to the loader for the plow,and some have also said that can tweak the loader arms.... I'm thinking if I was to do that, I'd still have it "float mounted" so it'll ride the shoes and not have additional down pressure....

 

[Colonel Monk]

Yeah, BTW, was able to get the Creep started yesterday and got the western hydros working.... Oddly enough, it took 2 hours to clean a massive squirrel nest out of the creep and only about 30 seconds to get it started..... The gas tank rusted out about 20 years ago, and so I had taken an extra OMC outboard fuel tank and hook it up to the fuel line - so all ya got to do is squeeze the primer bulb and you're in business!

But that thing is ready for the boneyard or someone who wants a real project plow truck.

Now, I measured the western plow and it's an 8 footer.... I won't be pushing snow as much as plowing it on an angle - so what do you guys think? Is it too big for the Kubota?

If so, I'm sure that selling the plow and hydro unit would more than pay for a smaller plow, if needed. I know my old man is kind of attached to it though, we've had it since I was in JR High - like 30 years? He paid $300 bucks for it, several years used already. It's the kind with a t-handle control.

Had first opportunity to drive tractor in the show, and yeah, those turf tires are much better in the snow than tractors I've driven in the past. I think for now it will work. If I end up using it for plowing, and have trouble steering I'd probably start with a front set of chains.

CM

 

[RoyJackson]

Loaded turf tires and no hills-you can most likely get by without chains,all though they would help for pushing snow.Good Luck and welcome!

I agree...turfs do quite well without chains. You do want adequate ballast on the 3PH though. I think I'd try one season without chains and see how you do.
However, if you do want chains, 4-link ladder chains would be the lowest cost option and with no hills, they'll do well...bit of a bumpy ride on a hard surface though.
As far as the cab...my Deere is an open station and I dress for the work. With me, that's a good hat, warm socks and heavy gloves. Since I'm basically retired, I take a break when I get too cold (not often unless it's a bitter wind).
Can't offer any advice on the bucket...but it's got to be nuts and bolts holding it to the loader frame.

 

[RoyJackson]

Loaded turf tires and no hills-you can most likely get by without chains,all though they would help for pushing snow.Good Luck and welcome!

I agree...turfs do quite well without chains. You do want adequate ballast on the 3PH though. I think I'd try one season without chains and see how you do.
However, if you do want chains, 4-link ladder chains would be the lowest cost option and with no hills, they'll do well...bit of a bumpy ride on a hard surface though.
As far as the cab...my Deere is an open station and I dress for the work. With me, that's a good hat, warm socks and heavy gloves. Since I'm basically retired, I take a break when I get too cold (not often unless it's a bitter wind).
Can't offer any advice on the bucket...but it's got to be nuts and bolts holding it to the loader frame.

Had first opportunity to drive tractor in the show, and yeah, those turf tires are much better in the snow than tractors I've driven in the past. I think for now it will work. If I end up using it for plowing, and have trouble steering I'd probably start with a front set of chains.

CM

Learn to use your split brakes. A jab on a brake helps keep the tractor straight when plowing. A steady push on the brake (for the direction you want to turn) definitely helps it turn at a bend in the road or drive.
It does take a bit of practice to use those split brakes effectively though...

 

[Colonel Monk]

I agree...turfs do quite well without chains. You do want adequate ballast on the 3PH though. I think I'd try one season without chains and see how you do.
However, if you do want chains, 4-link ladder chains would be the lowest cost option and with no hills, they'll do well...bit of a bumpy ride on a hard surface though.
As far as the cab...my Deere is an open station and I dress for the work. With me, that's a good hat, warm socks and heavy gloves. Since I'm basically retired, I take a break when I get too cold (not often unless it's a bitter wind).
Can't offer any advice on the bucket...but it's got to be nuts and bolts holding it to the loader frame.



Learn to use your split brakes. A jab on a brake helps keep the tractor straight when plowing. A steady push on the brake (for the direction you want to turn) definitely helps it turn at a bend in the road or drive.
It does take a bit of practice to use those split brakes effectively though...

Thanks for the split brake tip! I will definitely try that out.

For now, rear ballast is the box blade. It's a pretty heavy one from what I can tell, heavier than the rotating blades I've seen.... Could load it with weight if necessary, concrete blocks or sandbags or something...

 

[chim]

We can't count on having any certain amount of snow here. Most times it isn't all that much, but we've had blizzards. Our main driveway is about 100 yards long, and I do driveways for nearby neighbors. For the first 20-some years after we built I "sucked it up" and dressed as warm/dry as I could. Finally got tired of that approach and built a cab last year.

Lights are wonderful things. For many years I got by just fine with the Walmart or TSC $14.95 55 watt floods. Recently I switched to LED's They have worked better for mowing at night, but they haven't been used in the snow so far. I'd imagine they will be fine. I've had some lights over the years that have been marginal for mowing but gave plenty of light for plowing.

Some guys have reported success with turfs on their 4WD tractors. My only experience with turfs was on a 2WD tractor. With chains on the rears it was almost like 4WD. Without chains it could barely move in the snow.

 

[Colonel Monk]

We can't count on having any certain amount of snow here. Most times it isn't all that much, but we've had blizzards. Our main driveway is about 100 yards long, and I do driveways for nearby neighbors. For the first 20-some years after we built I "sucked it up" and dressed as warm/dry as I could. Finally got tired of that approach and built a cab last year.

Lights are wonderful things. For many years I got by just fine with the Walmart or TSC $14.95 55 watt floods. Recently I switched to LED's They have worked better for mowing at night, but they haven't been used in the snow so far. I'd imagine they will be fine. I've had some lights over the years that have been marginal for mowing but gave plenty of light for plowing.

Some guys have reported success with turfs on their 4WD tractors. My only experience with turfs was on a 2WD tractor. With chains on the rears it was almost like 4WD. Without chains it could barely move in the snow.

We certainly do have quite a bit of lake effect here, blizzards are not uncommon. I haven't lived here for many years, but I know from watching the weather and talking to family that compared to the "good old days" it hasn't been as brutal as in years past. The jet stream has changed, and as such our area is not getting raked with as much lake effect as it once did. Seems that the heavy stuff is actually hitting further south these days.

Haven't found a job here yet. I was looking at those CREE LED lamps on Ebay, and as a big fan of LED lighting, I can tell ya CREE is the best. IF you look at their reflector design, you can see that's where all the power comes from with LED is in focusing the light. I have a few 55W lights already, and that's where I'd be mounting them on the tractor for now, since I already have them.

I think it would be fun to have the plow on the tractor, but it will be colder, that's for sure... Also, it barely fits in our workshop as is, so with the plow on it, it won't fit. We have plans to build a shed to house the tractor in but that would not be completed until summer earliest.

I noticed that it was easy to get the rears spinning in 2wd but took right off with no wheel spin.

 

[GPintheMitten]

With 4wd and turfs, I would try it one season without chains. I've done it very effectively in the past. Yes, use the box blade for ballast. I don't think you will need any more rear ballast than that for snow removal. If you find a decent used 3pt back blade, the combination of fel and back blade is a pretty good snow removal set up. But you could also get use out of the box blade. With a 30 amp alternator, I would use your existing spots from the Jeep. One advantage they will provide is the heat generated from the bulbs will keep them clear of snow and ice. The fact that you have a snow plow on the Jeep, I would plan on modifying it to go on the fel, but I would personally wait until warm weather to do the fab work. Using the tractor this year asis will help you decide how much more to invest in for next season. I cleared snow for years on various tractors without a cab. Dress warm and you can do it. Then maybe next summer you can consider making or getting a cab.

Enjoy your new to you tractor.